How to Start a Podcast

Podcasting has become one of the dominant sources of entertainment in recent years. That is thanks to tireless content creators who have created our favorite shows. If you have been throwing around the idea of starting a podcast but aren’t sure how to record a podcast, then you’ve come to the right place! This article will detail how to start a podcast, from coming up with a plan to recording your first episode. We’ll also cover how to come up with podcast topics. Then, we’ll show you how to monetize your podcast.

Choose a Podcast TopicPick the Podcast Equipment You’ll NeedUSB Podcast MicrophonesXLR Podcast MicrophonesAudio Interfaces for PodcastingPodcast Recording SoftwarePut Your Podcast on Spotify, iTunes & Streaming PlatformsWhich Podcast Platform Should I Use?How to Set Up an RSS FeedMonetize Your PodcastPodcast SponsorsAffiliate Marketing ProgramsSetting Up a Patreon/Crowdfunding Account for Your Podcast

Choose a Podcast Topic

Before you start a podcast, you’ll need to choose a podcast topic to give you some direction. There are plenty of topics to choose from, including comedy, true crime, sports, entertainment, and education. When you’re brainstorming ideas, you’ll want to pick a topic that truly interests you. If it’s a topic that you are passionate about (like a hobby of yours), then your excitement for the topic will shine through. That energy will be what drives people to listen to your podcast.

Whatever topic or genre your podcast covers, be sure to stick as close to it as possible. To start a podcast that will stand out from the rest of the crowd, search for a unique angle or take on your podcast topic. Instead of making your topic “true crime,” try something more specific within the genre, such as “true crime in music.” By making this distinction, your podcast might attract listeners who are eager to learn more about Selena, Dimebag Darrell, and stolen Stradivarii. Whether your podcast’s topic is broad or focused, the key is to stay authentic and to stay within your topic. Keep it specific, and you’ll have more and more listeners coming back to hear your next episode.

No podcast is complete without a great name, though! You’ll want to give your podcast a title that offers prospective listeners a clue as to what it’s about. The trick with podcast names is to capture the essence of your show without sounding bland. Be creative but not too cute so that it makes sense to listeners. It can be a hard balance to achieve, but with enough experimentation, you’ll come up with a perfect title.

Pick the Podcast Equipment You’ll Need

If you’re unsure how to record a podcast, then you’ll need a few essential pieces of recording gear. Whether you decide on a simple podcasting setup or a professional recording rig, there are no set rules for how to record a podcast. However, we’ve found that it’s easiest to have a computer with Internet access (preferably wired), a microphone, headphones, and podcast recording software. Below, we’ve included a suggested list of conventional podcast equipment to get you started. For an in-depth explanation of all the gear you need to record a podcast, check out our article, “Podcast Equipment: Everything You Need to Get Started.”

Best Gear for Podcasting – Sweetwater

USB Podcast Microphones

USB microphones are a top choice for podcasters. They plug straight into a computer or even your smartphone (with the correct adapter), eliminating the need to drag around extra gear. Popular USB microphones include the Shure MV7, the RODE PodMic, the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-XP, and the Blue Microphones Yeti X. You can shop for even more USB microphones at Sweetwater.

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XLR Podcast Microphones

The best XLR podcast microphones are generally dynamic microphones — sometimes called “broadcast microphones” — with excellent off-axis rejection. At Sweetwater, the Shure SM7B, the RODE Procaster, and the Electro-Voice RE20 are some of the most popular XLR podcast microphones. 

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Best Microphones for Podcasting

Audio Interfaces for Podcasting

If you choose an XLR podcasting microphone, then you’ll need an audio interface to connect your mic to your computer. And in the eyes of many podcasters, an audio interface is crucial for making your podcast sound better. Interfaces like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 are used in podcast studios all over the country. Then, there are interfaces such as the Focusrite Vocaster Two and TC-Helicon GoXLR that have features heavily tailored for the streaming and podcast communities.

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Best Audio Interfaces for Podcasting

Podcast Recording Software

Your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is where you’ll record and edit your show. Some USB microphones and audio interfaces come with free software to get you started. Top podcast recording software choices at Sweetwater include Steinberg Cubase Pro 13 and PreSonus Studio One 6 Artist. GarageBand (Mac only) is another great option.

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Put Your Podcast on Spotify, iTunes & Streaming Platforms

If you want people to listen to your show, then you’ll need to know how to start a podcast on iTunes or how to put your podcast on Spotify. All you need to do is select the platforms you want to use, set up an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed for your podcast, and then follow each platform’s guidelines and terms of service. Once you have your episodes recorded and ready to go, it’s super-easy to get your podcast online for the world to hear.

Which Podcast Platform Should I Use?

There are so many places to listen to podcasts that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. You may be asking yourself which podcasting platform is right for you, and the answer is simple: all of them! Here at Sweetwater, we recommend using as many podcast directories and streaming services as possible. By doing so, more people can find and subscribe to your podcast than if you only start your podcast on Apple Podcasts. Start with the three major podcast directories — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher — and add more services as time goes on.

How to Set Up an RSS Feed

An RSS feed is how you’ll share new podcast episodes with your loyal fan base. When you upload podcast episodes to an RSS feed, it will automatically push the update to any streaming platform it’s registered with, eliminating the hassle of uploading the content to each platform. You absolutely must have an RSS feed to make your podcast work.

While you can take the time to set up an RSS feed for your website, there are plenty of companies that offer great deals on podcast RSS feeds. They make uploading your episodes and artwork painless and straightforward. Next, enter the RSS feed’s URL on each podcast platform you chose, and away you go!

Monetize Your Podcast

With the amount of traction that podcasts get, it’s no wonder why advertisers are jumping onboard. With a bit of creative marketing and some persistence, you can monetize your podcast, turning it from a passion project into supplemental income. To make money podcasting, you can take a few different avenues: get podcast sponsors, enter affiliate marketing programs, or set up a crowdfunding account. The majority of successful podcasts utilize all three techniques.

Podcast Sponsors

If you’ve ever listened to a podcast, then you know exactly what we mean when we say “sponsors.” Landing a sponsorship can rake in serious money and help you invest in better gear. While some sponsors may approach you, you’ll likely be doing a lot of legwork to negotiate a sponsorship. To monetize your podcast, you can reach out to a sponsor directly, join a podcast network, or take advantage of your hosting service’s ad program. Whichever you choose, be prepared! Make sure you have a compelling sales pitch, know your audience demographic, and have clearly defined rates for advertisements.

Affiliate Marketing Programs

Another terrific way you can make money with a podcast is through affiliate marketing programs, especially if your show doesn’t yet have the widespread following that traditional sponsors prefer. Affiliate marketing is click-through incentivized marketing where a business rewards “affiliates” for hosting links to that business’s products. Typically, affiliates are rewarded for click-throughs or resulting sales. You’ve heard affiliate marketing in almost every podcast that offers a discount code or a unique link to click on for savings. If you’re an affiliate of a company, then you’ll receive money each time someone uses your code or affiliate link to buy a product online.

Setting Up a Patreon/Crowdfunding Account for Your Podcast

Crowdfunding is, without a doubt, the most popular way that listeners can support a podcast and its host. Patreon is currently the most well-known platform for podcasting. Users can subscribe for a set amount of money per month or make one-off donations. Most successful podcasts offer perks to its Patreon subscribers. Usually, those perks include special deals on merch, bonus content, and early access to episodes. However you choose to run your crowdfunding website, giving listeners an incentive to subscribe is the name of the game.

Ready to Start Your Show?

Feeling inspired to start a new podcast? Let Sweetwater help! Give us a call at (800) 222-4700, and your personal Sweetwater Sales Engineer will evaluate your needs and suggest the right podcasting gear to get you started. Since many of them are podcasters themselves, they’ll be happy to help you fine-tune your podcast idea and make it a reality! And if you’re in need of bonus podcast content, then visit us on YouTube! Two of our Sweetwater Sales Engineers, Matt Alexander and Ty Heimann, are also podcasters and share their tips for how to start a successful podcast in the video below!

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